Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

32. Crossing Borders

Chapter 32

Crossing Borders

M y eyelids flutter open, heavy with exhaustion. The rhythmic hum of the car engine has been replaced by a thick silence that makes me frown. I shift in my seat and turn to the man beside me, who offers a small smile. His presence is a balm to my frayed nerves.

“Hey there, love.”

“Are we at the border?” I ask.

“Yes,” he replies, his eyes alight with an intense adoration that sets my heart thrashing around my ribcage. We must’ve been parked here for at least a half hour.

My heart races as I realize the gravity of what we’re about to do. Leave everything behind and start a new life on a boat with Kai.

It’s wild and uncertain, but it’s also exhilarating.

My best friend Arietta encouraged me to give him a chance to see what could be between us. And now, I’m ready to take that leap.

Despite my fears and doubts, a calm excitement builds inside me as we sit there, looking out at the trees and the imaginary bright neon green line that marks the border between Canada and the US.

“I can’t wait to see the boat,” I whisper, admitting my eagerness to leave everything behind for this adventure with Kai.

He squeezes my hand and whispers back, “Let’s go.”

A pang of sadness hits me as I think about what I’m leaving behind: my family and my colleagues. Like I’m betraying a part of myself. But I know this is where I need to be.

His hand on my back is all the reassurance I need as we step out of the car and begin our journey together to a new life.

Fighting myself is exhausting. When Kai touches me, the chaos in my head quiets.

Still, I’m a tad angry with him for the pain he’s caused me.

His eyes sparkle in the morning light. I heave a sigh as I sling my backpack over my shoulder. I’ve packed only the essentials. My lips curl down when Kai punctures the gas tank and fills an old can with fuel. I want to laugh despite everything.

He’s going to blow up my car.

It’s a big moment, and we both know it. We stand silently as he strikes a match and sets the car ablaze. With each flicker of flame, I’m burning parts of myself that I don’t want to carry anymore.

I wish he’d kiss me, hold me. But the words get stuck in my throat, drowned out by a feeling I don’t quite understand.

Resentment.

The pain in my thigh reminds me of the danger he’s exposed me to without a care for the consequences. I’ve dreamed of starting a new life somewhere else for ten years. And for that, I don’t blame him. I resent him for hurting me in the process.

Without even realizing it, we’ve crossed the border. Looking back, I see my car engulfed in flames. It was so simple. A thumb wipes away my tears, and I realize I’m terrified. My mouth was ajar, tears wetting my cheeks, and my heart was struggling.

“I’m so sorry,” Kai apologizes, cupping my wet cheek.

“You ruined my life!” I blurt out in anger before I can stop myself.

Kai recoils, and hurt fills his eyes.

Damn it, that’s not what I meant to say.

“It’s okay,” he says bitterly. “I know.”

I’m scared.

We walk silently, the cracking of branches filling the crisp morning air. Kai gives me a heartbreaking glance. I’m having a hard time accepting the love I have for him. It will come with time, and I hope he’s patient.

Everything goes smoothly until we reach a patrol camp. Kai tenses and looks around. Inevitably, we would encounter one. Crossing the border was too easy. We approach the camp, and Kai crouches. I follow his lead and squat beside him. We both study patrol jeeps, but we decide against trying to steal one. It’s too risky with no cover of darkness.

Kai nods toward a closer car, suggesting we try this one instead. I shake my head, showing it’s not a good idea. He raises an eyebrow and sighs. We need a new plan.

I spot quads in the distance, and an effervescent smile spreads across my face. It’s ridiculous, but I can’t help the action movie soundtrack playing in my head.

We make our way over to the quads, moving cautiously. I’m suddenly starving, a common stress response for me, and a noise in my stomach resonates louder than it ever should.

I give Kai a sorry look, and he smirks.

I stumble into a thicket of pine thorns. A man emerges from the camp and begins smoking a cigarette. Had we not crouched down, he would have noticed us. After the man returns inside, Kai shakes his head, asking me to wait for a safe opportunity to proceed.

Kai gets up and walks to the vehicle. I shake my head and point farther.

He understands, and we crawl toward our future vehicle.

Stealing something? Me? Why am I smiling then? It must be the electric buzz in the air.

Kai shifts the gear lever into neutral and gets behind the vehicle, motioning for me to climb on. He must be joking. I’ll push with him.

Despite the physical strain, I burst into silent laughter.

I’m stealing something! I’m a criminal.

With a grunt of effort, we managed to push the quad far enough to start the engine without alerting the patrol camp. The gentle roar of its motor fills the air as we take off, my body pressed against Kai’s in a tight embrace. I can’t help but inhale his scent, a heady mixture of sweat and adrenaline that’s uniquely him. As we speed along, my muscles relax, and a warm blush invades my face.

In the distance, we come across a quiet village, its streets still empty in the early morning hours. But our quad breaks the silence, and Kai stops abruptly, eyes scanning the distance.

“We can’t do the entire trip on a quad,” he frowns.

I nod in agreement as I spot an old car for sale in a deserted parking lot. “What time is it?”

Kai glances at me with a mischievous smile. “Are you hungry?”

His words are like a magnet, drawing me toward him. Some men use their words to convey their desires, but Kai has always had a way of communicating with his eyes. And right now, they’re sending me a clear message: “I want to feed you, gorgeous one until you can’t eat anymore.” It’s a tempting thought that leaves my mind in disarray.

“Yes,” I say finally, giving in to his suggestion.

“We should wait until the next town to eat at a restaurant,” he suggests as he makes his way over to unlock the car doors.

But I’m not interested in waiting or fancy restaurants. “No way. We’re going to eat in the car. I don’t want a Terminator-style episode because we’re too busy lingering,” I declare firmly.

We linger; we die.

“We have ten hours of driving before we reach Eugene. We can’t just drive nonstop,” Kai argues.

“Why not?” I challenge.

“Because we won’t be able to handle a problem if one arises. I’ve been up since two-forty. I need to sleep,” he explains with a yawn. “Tazo…” He sighs and runs a tired hand on his face.

“Would you have preferred if I drove?” I retort, annoyed.

His breath comes out in a low, heavy whisper. “Can we talk about it in the car?” he asks, his voice pleading. Without waiting for an answer, he opens the driver’s door and gestures for me to take the wheel.

I nod and slide into the car, my heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. Kai settles himself against the hard passenger seat and lets out another deep sigh.

As I start the car, the tension between us dissipates, replaced by an exhaustion that sets in like a heavy fog. The vibrations from the old exhaust pipe rock Kai to sleep, his body sinking deeper into the seat. His eyes close of their own accord.

“Marianne?” he mumbles, his voice barely audible over the engine’s hum.

“Yes?” I reply softly, careful not to disturb his slumber.

“I can’t handle you being angry with me for too long.”

“Just give me some time,” I assure as I reach over to stroke his hair. “Sleep. I’ll take care of things.”

“Okay,” he murmurs before drifting back to sleep.

We are stuck together in this car, our fates intertwined. Part of me wonders if we would even be alive now if we had given in to our desires last night. It’s a strange thought that hangs out in my mind.

“Kai?” I call out softly after a minute.

He grumbles in response, his hand unconsciously finding its way to rest on my thigh.

My heart melts at the sight of him sleeping peacefully. Despite all our conflicts and misunderstandings, he looks so fragile and innocent at this moment.

The hours tick by slowly as we navigate morning traffic and road construction. My stomach growls with hunger, but we make little progress. I turn on the radio to find something to suit my mood. Lizzo’s music fills the car, bringing a small smile.

We’re moving at a snail’s pace of twenty miles per hour, but I don’t mind. It gives me time to steal glances at Kai as he sleeps.

His eyelashes flutter, and his face is relaxed.

Suddenly, his focus shifts to me, and his features soften even more. He draws a tender smile on his sleepy face, and my heart swells affectionately. This is the most beautiful compliment I have ever received.

“I wondered if I was dreaming,” he says.

The world around me shifts. Kai sits beside me, his face unreadable, and he gazes at me with a furrowed brow.

Heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks. “Maybe you are.”

“No,” he says, staring at me. “I know this is real.”

Kai scrutinizes me and tension builds between us. It’s a new sensation, one that makes my heart race and my breath quicken.

But before things can escalate further, I break the intense atmosphere with a simple statement. “I’m hungry.”

“Me too.” He raises his seat and takes in the view of endless rows of cars, all stuck in traffic. The sound of construction work drones in the background. “Fuck… We’re not moving.”

I wince. My stomach drops at the realization we are completely stuck.

Is this a reproach?

“Kai, I can’t fly over cars.”

“This isn’t criticism.”

“We should take the bus. We’d have the reserved lane,” I say, glaring at the bus that passes us.

“I hate taking the bus.” His growling tone makes me wince again.

“We must find a solution because at this pace...” I urge, helpless as we continue to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic. It will take us over a month to reach our destination. “If we could get to Everett...”

Kai’s worried tone snaps me back to reality. “Cutie!”

I peek in my rearview mirror. Two guys walk between the cars, looking into each of them. I know they’re here for us. Kai recognized them. The way they move terrifies me; it’s how hunting dogs roam when they sniff a bloody trace. At least it’s not…

Shit. The twins.

They glide like poisonous fog behind their hounds-men. I imagine the metaphorical leash tethering them together. Please, don’t spot us.

My breathing quickens.

“Do we have disguises?”

Kai’s eyes snap open, alert. He reaches beneath his seat, pulling out his old duffel bag. The zipper rasps as he opens it, revealing an assortment of clothes and accessories. He tosses a cap and sunglasses to me.

“Put these on. Quick.”

His urgency propels me into motion. My hands tremble as I slip on the cap, tucking my hair underneath, and slide the sunglasses over my nose. Kai pulls a false skin—like gloves—over his arms, the garment instantly cloaking his tattoos.

The twins draw closer, their predatory strides unwavering. My pulse pounds against my temples; I can feel every beat echoing through.

Kai takes a small piece of plastic out of his bag and begins blowing air into it. Once it’s inflated, he puts it under his T-shirt and adds an extra T-shirt on top.

Three moves, and he looks like a typical American.

My anxiety grows as he puts on gloves, his movements quick and efficient. Kai reaches into his backpack and pulls out an antiseptic towel, meticulously wiping down the dashboard, steering wheel, and handles.

A laugh escapes my lips in a moment of hysteria. This can’t be happening. But just as quickly, I remember our dangerous situation and steel myself for what comes next.

He sprays on some cheap cologne and removes the gloves. We wait.

My fingers tingle, and my chest tightens, feeling useless in this fight for survival.

No traces. The last vestiges of our identities were wiped away.

The twins are almost upon us.

With everything cleaned and disinfected, Kai turns to face me. His eyes, sharp and focused, cut through the fog of fear clouding my mind.

“They won’t recognize us,” he assures me, though his voice holds a tension I wasn’t used to hearing from him.

I swallow hard and try to nod, but my body feels too rigid. The twins are now only a few cars away. My heart plays a chaotic drumbeat in my chest, a rhythm matching the rising panic in my veins.

“Kai,” I whisper, more afraid than ever.

He leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Marianne, breathe. Look straight ahead and act normal. We’re just another couple stuck in traffic.”

The twins move methodically, their eyes scanning each car with practiced ease. I put on some meditation music.

They pause at the sedan directly behind us, their faces almost touching the glass as they peer inside. My breath catches. I force myself to look straight ahead, focusing on the expanse of cars before us, willing my heart to slow its frantic pace.

Kai’s demeanor shifts, his body relaxing, but his eyes remain sharp. His hand slips into mine, the strength of his grip grounding me. We can get through this. The twins move past our car without a second glance, their interest already waning.

But when they come back, one of them lets his fingers glide on the passenger side.

And they continue their exploration until they vanish out of view.

A nervous exhale breaks out of my lips, and Kai’s shoulder slumps.

“They put a tracker on the car…” he mouths.

“We have to ditch it, then.”

He shoots me a glare. I point my ear and mouth to ask Kai if they can hear us. He nods.

Shit.

“Well, I can’t wait for this traffic to lighten up.” He runs a hand in his hair.

“It’ll be okay, babe. We’ll reach our destination at some point.”

Kai glances at me and his mouth twists. “Still mad?” He takes my hand to kiss it.

“Yes, I am.” I remove my hand from his. “But we’ll talk about your groveling later.” I lean back in my seat, my eyes peeled on the road ahead.

Kai blinks like I told him the moon is made of cheese, his mouth in an O form that makes him look a bit foolish. “Grovel?”

“Is that a problem, babe?” I clench my fists around the wheel and stare at him.

Please, don’t tell me you can’t grovel.

“No,” he breathes, and his gaze slides down my form. “No problem at all, love.”

The traffic inches forward, a monotonous crawl that feels endless. Kai’s fingers drum against the dashboard, his mind working on an escape plan.

His eyes narrow, calculating. He pops open the glove compartment and retrieves a disposable phone. His jaw set in a grim line, he dials a number.

“Ro—Robbie?” I ask.

Kai nods.

I can hear the faint ringing before someone picks up on the other end.

“Aunt Wei wants the apple pie,” Kai says.

Thirteen seconds.

“Well, the family reunion has to happen; it’s Rashi’s sixth birthday.”

What?

Kai’s eyes dart back to the rearview mirror. “Uncle Sunny is absent. We’ll get to Burlington in time for dinner and stay until dessert.”

The line goes dead. Kai crushes the phone under his boot with a decisive stomp and shoves the remnants into his duffel bag.

“Burlington,” he says before turning around and closing his eyes.

Sometimes, I think I’d need an automatic translator.